1. In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of יְהוָ֥ה unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

2. יְהוָ֥ה hath been sore displeased with your fathers.

3. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith יְהוָ֥ה of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith יְהוָ֥ה of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith יְהוָ֥ה of hosts.

4. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith יְהוָ֥ה of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith יְהוָ֥ה.

5. Your fathers, where they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

6. But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as יְהוָ֥ה of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.